Kenny Hasbrouck – Heat Boot Camp’s last man standing
Remember the “Heat Boot Camp” from earlier this summer? Instead of going to the Orlando Summer League, the Heat decided to hold an inhouse training camp for young players, like Mario Chalmers, Michael Beasley, and Daequan Cook, and undrafted free agents.
One of those free agents, Sienna guard Kenny Hasbrouck, has lasted to the cusp of training camp, and he is waiting to see if the Heat will invite him with the veterans, when camp opens at the end of September.
Here is the article, from Hasbrouck’s hometown newspaper, the Times Union.
Below are quotes from Heat head scout, Chet Kamerer:
“His shooting percentages in college weren’t off the charts, but he’s shot the ball better here than his numbers were in college. Now, he’s got areas he really needs to improve. But, he’s been a pleasant surprise.”
Among the areas Kammerer cited needing improvement:
- Defending point guards.
Kammerer said Hasbrouck could be an undersized shooting guard on offense, but at 6 feet, 3 inches, he’ll have to defend point guards only. That could be even more of an adjustment than bringing up the ball.
“That’s an area he’s going to have to improve on,” Kammerer said.
- His range.
The NBA 3-point line is 3 feet farther from the basket than in college. Though Hasbrouck, a modest 30.9 percent 3-point shooter as a senior, has shot the ball well in Miami, he’s still adjusting to the NBA range.
“He has to get more comfortable with the NBA 3,” Kammerer said. “That’s such a vital part of perimeter play in the NBA.”
- Free-throw shooting.
This sound familiar, Siena fans?
Hasbrouck was only a 65.7 percent free-throw shooter his senior year, a season when the Saints as a whole were inconsistent – at best – from the line.
“That’s definitely got to improve,” Kammerer said. “The last thing you want is a point guard who can’t make free throws.”
Kammerer said he expects Hasbrouck to enjoy a professional career somewhere, either abroad or in the NBA.
“His future I think is in profession basketball, wherever that may be, even if it’s in Europe,” Kammerer said. “He’s more talented than people think. He can make a living playing basketball. At what level, I’m not sure. He’s going to decide that.”
He’s got a good feel for the game,” Kammerer said. “He’s got a high basketball IQ. He’s hard to guard. There’s a reason he scored points. He’s got an ability to get the paint.
Kenny has an inspirational story, you might remember it from March Madness. His dad has multiple sclerosis and is paralyzed from the waist down now. His parents drove 8 hours each way, despite his dad’s burden, to go watch Kenneth’s home games in college. Watch this feature and tell me you don’t get goosebumps when you see how his parents’ faces light up when talking about Kenny.
